Cup-dispensing apparatus.



H. B. COOLEY.

CUP DISPENSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 17, 1914.

1,%25,7289 A Patented May 8,1917.

WITNfii-"ES: v VEN .TOR. 4 (Z: 15 d 310, A

11/ A TTORNE Y.

HENRY B. COOLEY, 0F KENSING'I'ON CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN PAPER GOODS COMPANY, OF MONTCLAIB, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CUP-DISPENSING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 19917.

Application filed June 17, 1914. Serial No. 845,519.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY B. CooLnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kensington, in the county ofHartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Improved Cup-Dispensing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more especially to the class of devices used for regulating the distribution of drinking cups employed for individual use, and an object of my invention, among others, is to provide a device of this class that shall be simple in construction and particularly efiicient in its operation.

One form of apparatus embodying my invention and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a view in central vertical section through a dispensing apparatus cmbodying my invention, the upper part of the dome or casing being broken off.

Fig. 2 is a detail side view of the separator supporting sleeve. 7 v

Fig. 3 is a detail top view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a different form of the separator.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the supporting sleeve and separator located thereon.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a separator show-. ing the spiral spring of annular form supported thereon.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 6 denotes a bracket constructed for attachment to a wall or other suitable support, this bracket carrying a supporting ring 7 that may be formedintegrally with the bracket and that has an opening to receive the lower edge of an inclosing base 8 that is formed in the shape of a ring with its lower edge 9 extending within the ring 7. A shoulder 10 upon this base rests upon the ring '7 and a flange 11 rises to inclose the lower edge of a dome or case 12. This dome or case may be constructed, as is common in devices of this class, of glass or any other suitable material, and its lower edge rests upon a lip 14 projecting edge of a separator supporting sleeve 13.

This supporting sleeve is of a size to fit within the inclosing base. 8 in a manner to provide a space between said base and the sleeve to receive the lower end of the dome from the lower 12. An annular groove 15 extends around the sleeve 13 underneath the lip 14, this groove being formed in an extension 16 composing a part of the supporting sleeve, which extension is cut-away at certain intervals to provide openings 17.

A separator 19, annular in forin, is supported in the groove 15, the ends of this separator being united and fingers or separating points 20 project from the lower edge of the separator in position to receive and support the lips 21 of cups 22 supported in a stack in the dome, the lowermost cup projecting through the inclosing base 8 and depending below the structure. In the preferred form of separator and as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the device is composed of wire bent to form a succession of Vs each inverted with respect to the V on the opposite sides thereof.

In the construction herein illustrated the openings 17 are located at three equidistant points about the separator supporting sleeve, thus dividing the extension 16 into three parts constituting spacers 26 that also form guides for the cups, and the separator resting in the annular groove 15 projects into the central opening in the separator supporting sleeve through the opening 17, thus presenting a number of separating points through each of the openings 17 in position to receive the lips of the cups at this point. The annular and continuous form of the separator enables it to yield to pressure on all sides and-this is materially aided by the succeeding alternately reversed V-shaped structures providing the separating points 20.

most cup from their grasp, and immediately after the lowermost cup 18 released the polnts resume their former position to en- These points will readily yield to permit the-withdrawal of the lowergage the lip of the next succeeding cup in the pile.

In the form'of device as shown in Fig. 4

this separator is constructed of a coiled spring 23 disposed in annular form with its ends joined, this spring resting, in one form of the invention, upon the ledge 24 on the inside of the inclosing base. A core 25 may be located within the coiled spring 23 or it may be omitted, the structure producing satisfactory results in either instance. Likewise this coiled spring may be disposed upon the separator supporting sleeve if dethrough said openings.

sired, in which case, of course, the annular groove 15 will be constructed to receive it. 'This coiled or spiral spring of annular form also produces a structure that yields at different points to accommodate itself to the conditions with regard to engagement of the lips of the cups with the separator, thus permitting the cups to be readily disengaged, and at the same time to permit the removal of a single cup only at each operation.

While I have shown and described herein a satisfactory formof structure embodying my invention, this may be departed from to a greater or lesser degree and yet be within the spirit and intent of the invention, which is, therefore, not limited to the exact form of device herein shown and described,

I claim-- 1. In a cupdispensing apparatus, a separator of continuous annular form having resiliently acting separating members located at intervals and circumferentially yieldingly connected one with another throughout its length, said separator being of a size to support the cups by lips at the upper edges thereof resting on the separator, and means for supporting the separator.

2. In a cup dispensing apparatus, a separator of yielding continuous annular form having members located at substantially regular intervals and circumferentially yieldingly connected one with another throughout its length,-said separator being of a size to support the cups by lips at the upper edges thereof resting on the separator, and means for supporting the separator.

3. In a cup dispensing apparatus, a base, a separator supporting sleeve mounted on the base and provided with openings arranged at intervals throughout itslength, and a separatorof continuous annular form located upon the outside of said sleeve and having separating members 4. In a cup dispensing apparatus, a supporting base, a separator supporting sleeve located within'said base and having a groove on its outer surface, radial openingsfrom said groove into the center of the sle eve, and a separator of continuous annular form located in said groove and with portions projecting through said openings.

5. In-a cup dispensing apparatus, a support ng base, a separator supporting sleeve located within the base and having an annulargroove in its outer surface and spacers projecting I projecting downwardly forming openings at intervals around the sleeve, and a separator of continuous annular form located sleeve, and a separator of continuous annular form and comprising a succession of l/- shaped fingers joined at their diverging ends, said separator being supported on said sleeve. j

8. In a cup dispensing apparatus, an inclosing base, a separator supporting sleeve located within the base and spaced therefrom, and a separator of annular form located upon the outer surface of said sleeve and in the space between said parts, and projecting through openings in the sleeve to support cups held therein.

9. In a cup dispensing apparatus, a supporting ring, an inclosing base having a projecting part located within said ring and a shoulder resting thereon, a flange pro ecting upwardly from the base, a case with its edge located within said flange, a separator supporting sleeve located within the base, and a separator of continuous annular form supported between said sleeve and base.

10. In a cup dispensing apparatus, an inclosing base, means for supporting the base, I

said base having a ledge inclosed therein, a separator supporting sleeve resting upon said ledge and spaced from the interior of the base, a separator located upon said sleeve and within said space, and a case with its lower edge projecting into the base and resting upon said supporting sleeve.

11. A cup dispensing apparatus including a separator sleeve having openings at intervals therearound, means for supporting the sleeve, and a separator of continuous annu- 

